3D Tools Reduce Design Cycle for a Small Bike Maker

Duratec Ltd. is used to tough markets. The company was founded in a garage in the Czech Republic in 1997. Now it designs, manufactures, and ships custom bike frames optimized for performance and comfort -- with only two full-time design engineers. Since Duratec exports 60 percent of its product, it competes squarely with firms that operate globally.

Productivity begins with the design cycle. To maintain a competitive edge, Duratec has adopted the 3Dconnexion SpacePilot and SpacePilot Pro, two types of 3D mice that are built specifically for CAD professionals.

Duratec learned about 3Dconnexion's 3D mice at a Dassault Systemes PLM forum and immediately recognized the potential for increased output. Used in tandem with SolidWorks, CATIA V5, and 3DVIA Composer, the 3D mice shortened Duratec's design cycle by 20 percent.

With 3D mice, users can pan, zoom, and rotate models simultaneously for enhanced design freedom and accuracy. The mice also have customizable function keys that make using 3D CAD software even more intuitive, leading to fewer errors. With the function keys, users can quickly access any function/macro, get visual feedback on the SpacePilot Pro LCD, and watch functions update automatically as they move from one application environment to another.

It's a good lesson for any design outfit looking to slim down and speed up -- close in-house collaboration combined with the right workstation improves efficiency and productivity. These benefits can keep your team working hard and comfortably, even during long design sessions.

John Moseley is the director of global marketing for 3Dconnexion, the creator of 3D mice for design and visualization professionals.

Yes, I've found that these devices tend to allow for finer hand movements and gestures, which does reduce hand strain and fatigue when compared to the larger movements required by a traditional mouse input system.

Thanks for the comment. One of the key advantages to using a 3D mouse is indeed a more comfortable working experience. Think of all the clicking, dragging, scrolling required to position your CAD content when using a standard mouse and keyboard. Many 3D mouse users discover our products after developing repetitive strain injuries from this way of working. In the majority of cases, these symptoms reduce or disappear after changing to the two-handed workstyle enabled by a 3D mouse.

It's worth noting that a 3D mouse does not replace the standard mouse, it's used in conjunction. The 3D mouse takes responsibility for positioning the model or view while the standard mouse does what it's best at - pointing and clicking. The result is a significant reduction in standard mouse clicks and movements and a reduction in the risk of RSI.

As well as being more comfortable, it's a faster way of working faster and while you're right that probably means moving on to the next project sooner, meeting deadlines and delivering projects faster that the competition has got to be a good thing :-)

Interesting that you use the comfortable, John. Is there something about these tools that takes the strain off the user? Perhaps it's a matter of reducing the design time. But even if the design time is shorter, the design engineer would just be on to the next project.

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